000
FXUS63 KFGF 062136
AFDFGF
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
336 PM CST Tue Dec 6 2016
.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Wednesday)
Issued at 320 PM CST Tue Dec 6 2016
Winter storm continues to create blizzard conditions across much
of eastern ND and into parts of NW MN. Upper wave and SFC low
starting to make some headway finally moving east with over the
last couple hours with the low centered between Fosston and
Bemidji. 925mb winds on the southwest side of the continue to mix
to the sfc with area METARS showing persistent gusts at Fargo and
Valley City in the 40 to 45kt range and 35 kts at Grand Forks and
Devils Lake. These winds combined with area snowfall totals of up
to 12 to 15 inches across the north central RRV and continuous
light snow from the elongated deformation zone are producing
widespread whiteout conditions. I29 and I94 are closed north and
west of Fargo along with Hwy 2 west of Grand Forks to Lakota.
Light snow under the def zone will continue into the evening and
overnight ever so slowly weakening in the west and sliding east.
An additional 1 to 4 inches are possible overnight. Cyclonic flow
will continue to create enough lift for light snow throughout the
day on Wednesday with another round of 1 to 2 inch accumulations.
Winds will gradually lessen however some blowing snow will
continue into the overnight. Temperatures will remain rather
steady overnight falling a few degrees from current readings.
.LONG TERM...(Wednesday night through Tuesday)
Issued at 320 PM CST Tue Dec 6 2016
Deep layered cyclonic flow will still be evident Wednesday night
into early Thursday with some residual snow shower activity. Winds
will still be up through the daylight hours as northwest flow takes
hold reflected at surface by NW winds at 10-15 kts. We`ll dip below
zero Thur night for first time in a long while as combination of
easing gradient/winds, at least partly cloudy skies and plenty of
snow cover ease the mercury as low as 10 below over the Devils Lake
basin. 1040 mb high on Friday should keep it dry and cold with 850
mb temps at minus 15 to 20 yielding surface readings in single
numbers above zero.
For the weekend and into early next week zonal flow develops
with a couple of shortwaves moving through quickly. The strongest
model signal for accumulating snow is around the late
Saturday/early Sunday period; this time the southern valley would
appear to be favored. Temperatures will moderate a bit ahead of
the first wave, although this will mean highs only in the teens
for most places on Saturday. The passage of the first feature with
potential reinforcement by Monday will bring single digit highs
back for Sunday into early next week.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday afternoon)
Issued at 1236 PM CST Tue Dec 6 2016
IFR or LIFR at all sites except BJI is MVFR. West northwest winds
gusts to 35 to 45 kts producing blowing snow visibilities at DVL,
GFK and FAR of 1/2SM or less. -SN and BLSN to continue into the
overnight period with conditions deteriorating at TVF and BJI as
snow and wind increase across at TVF and BJI. Prolonged period of
IFR expected.
&&
.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...Winter Weather Advisory until midnight CST tonight for NDZ049-
052-053.
BlizzardWarning until midnight CST tonight for NDZ006>008-
014>016-024-026>030-038-039-054.
MN...Winter Weather Advisory until midnight CST tonight for MNZ017-
023-028>031-040.
BlizzardWarning until midnight CST tonight for MNZ001>004-007-
008-013>015-022-027.
Winter Storm Warning until midnight CST tonight for MNZ005-006-
009-016.
&&
$$
SHORT TERM...JK
LONG TERM...WJB
AVIATION...JK